Man killed in Ledyard crash

Ledyard — A 53-year-old local man died this afternoon after his car crashed into a utility pole on Shewville Road, just north of its intersection with Town Farm Road, police said.

The accident occurred at 2:16 p.m. and first responders arrived at the scene to find Russell M. Sheppard unresponsive in his 2000 Audi. Sheppard, who has a last known address in Ledyard, was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Shewville Road was closed for much of the afternoon as police investigated the crash and crews replaced the utility pole.

Police said the initial investigation determined the car was traveling northbound on Shewville Road when Sheppard lost control of the vehicle after passing Town Farm Road, causing it to cross the southbound lane and leave the roadway, striking a utility pole.

The crash remains under investigation by the Ledyard Police Department. Ledyard police were joined at the scene by the Ledyard Fire Department, Gales Ferry Fire Department, Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad and state police.